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Stay on Top of Giant Ragweed

Lisa Behnken, Extension Educator, Fritz Breitenbach, IPM Specialist SE Minnesota, Jeff Gunsolus, Extension Agronomist, Weed Science, and Phyllis Bongard, Content Development and Communications Specialist, University of Minnesota
Photo 1. Giant ragweed in corn herbicide trial at Rochester, MN, May 20,2016. Plot was planted April 25, 2016. The recent frost across southeast Minnesota may have slowed down corn and soybean development, but it did not slow down the rate of weed growth. There are plenty of 1-4 inch giant ragweed and 1-2 inch common lambsquarters in corn and soybean fields. Waterhemp is also beginning to emerge (1/4 – 3/4 inch). The current dilemma that needs to be addressed is most evident in fields where a preemergence herbicide was not used or it provided poor giant ragweed control. In addition, our recent 1-2 inch rainfall may limit the ability to get into the field in a timely manner to control the weeds when they are most susceptible to control and before they reduce crop yield potential.

Photo 2. Giant ragweed in corn herbicide trial at Rochester, MN, May 20, 2016. Plot was planted April 25, 2016. Early crop planting favors giant ragweed, one of the first weeds to emerge after the crop is planted. Common lambsquarters is also an early-emerging weed and as the soils warm, waterhemp begins to emerge in mid-to-late May.

Currently, giant ragweed is moving into the exponential growth stage, and will pass the ideal 2-4 inch weed height for good control very soon. Once past this ideal size it becomes more challenging to control, especially if the biotype is herbicide resistant. In corn, there are several good options for post emergence control, but application needs to occur soon. Unfortunately, the wet fields may give the advantage to the giant ragweed. In soybeans, be vigilant. There are not as many options for post emergence control of giant ragweed, plus it may become difficult to hit the optimum herbicide timing for ideal control. This is especially true if you have herbicide resistant giant ragweed.

Weed control options in soybean

If you are dealing with glyphosate resistant giant ragweed in RoundupReady soybean, those seedlings need to be targeted at 2-3 inches with a SOA-2 or SOA-14 herbicide. Examples include FirstRate (SOA-2), Flexstar GT, or Cobra (SOA-14). However, if the giant ragweed is also SOA-2 resistant, FirstRate will not work and SOA-14 herbicides become the best option. See PRE and POST Herbicide Diversification Options for Glyphosate-Resistant Corn and Soybean for additional information.

If you planted LibertyLink soybeans, and there wasn’t an opportunity to get a preemergence herbicide on, the first glufosinate (Liberty) application should be targeted when the ragweed is small. Include a residual, such as Reflex or Flexstar (NOT FlexstarGT) with the glufosinate to help control the last flushes of giant ragweed and other weeds, such as waterhemp, that will become troublesome as the season progresses. Note, adding a Group 15 herbicide such as Dual II Magnum, will assist with later season waterhemp control.